February is National Recreational Therapy Month

February is National Recreational Therapy month
and Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health wants to help generate awareness about
the positive impact therapeutic recreational programs and services can have on
health and wellbeing.

“Everyone needs some form of leisure to help
maintain, and improve, overall health and wellbeing,” said Melissa Jacoby, a recreation therapist with Devereux
Pennsylvania’s Children’s Behavioral Health Services center. “At
Devereux, Recreational Therapy is extremely important for the individuals we
serve, plus it offers a fun, different and exciting way for people to work on
their goals through therapy, without even realizing it is therapy.”

What is Recreational Therapy?

International Recreational Therapy month is
sponsored by the American
Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), which represents
the interests of therapeutic recreation specialists, also known as recreation
therapists.

ATRA says recreational
therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a process that uses
recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the needs of
individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to
psychological and physical health, recovery and wellbeing.

Critical
programming at Devereux

At
Devereux, we operate a national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational
and employment programs that positively impact the lives of tens of thousands
of children, adults – and their families – every year. Specifically, in the
area of recreational therapy, these activities can
include: aquatics, music and dance
classes, arts and crafts, games, and sports.

“Through
engagement in recreational pursuits, our youth can unlock essential facets of
themselves toward more complete wellness,” said Devereux Pennsylvania’s Children’s Behavioral Health Services Executive
Director Dr. Rhea Fernandes.
“They tap into their self-efficacy, increase their awareness of others, develop
a sense of responsibility and community, self-directedness and optimism. Only
experience can shape this, and many of our youth have been denied these
positive experiences we tend to take for granted. Ultimately meaningful
activities have the power to shape positive beliefs, teach moderation and
balance which are essential lifelong wellness skills.”

‘One
of my biggest career achievements’

As part of her role, Jacoby works with youth in
both group and one-one-one settings, tailoring her approach to each
individual’s strengths and goals. She also enjoys leading sessions that involve
group social development and team-building skills.

“Getting our individuals to work together and
have fun is something I like to focus on. I also assist with life skills lessons,
including how to write checks, filling out job applications and handling money.
Maintaining a positive, active and healthy lifestyle – while being as
independent as possible – is what Recreational Therapy is all about,” she said.
“Becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist is one of my biggest
career achievements. The adolescents I work with push me to be a better
therapist and motivate me to give them the best while they are in our programs.”

Wellness:
Key to whole-person health

At
Devereux, the guiding principles of our Advanced Philosophy of Careprovide
for a more holistic approach to behavioral health, focusing on whole-person
health.

“Whole-person
health embodies a holistic approach to wellness that respects our complexity
and acknowledges that we are multidimensional beings,” added Fernandes. “Only through the development of each dimension of wellness –
which includes recreation – can we lead truly health lives and reach our full
potential. This has significant implications for quality of life and the
potential to be as healthy as possible in the areas of emotional, intellectual,
physical, social, spiritual and vocational health.”

To
learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health’s programs and services,
click here.

The Philadelphia Foundation recently awarded Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health a $15,000 Leadership Grant to help the nonprofit implement Servant Leadership methodology and best practices across its centers in the Philadelphia region.

Two events benefitting Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Arizona raised nearly $20,000 this fall for youth with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences, as well as those served by the center’s foster care programs.

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pennsylvania participated in its second job fair for immigrants, drawing professionals interested in a career in behavioral health. The job fair was held in partnership with the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, which accelerates immigrant integration and economic advancement through education, training, employment and entrepreneurship.